2. Shocking Encounter

Two days passed.

Lily hadn't touched her phone.

Ever since that night, she had locked herself in her room, refusing to see anyone, ignoring all calls and messages—especially from Bryan.

He had been contacting her non-stop, but Lily didn't care.

Every time her phone vibrated, she merely stared at it cold-eyed before closing her eyes again.

She needed time.

To forget Bryan's betrayal.

To erase the memories of that night.

To shake off the feeling of being dirty and ashamed every time she caught her reflection in the mirror.

However, Lily couldn't keep hiding forever.

Today, Bryan's family had invited them to his parents' wedding anniversary party.

And Lily had no choice but to go, her face pale.

"Do we need to go to the doctor?"

The soft voice of Risha, Lily's mother, broke the silence inside the car.

Lily glanced over briefly, then shook her head gently. “I’m fine, Mom. No need to worry.”

She shifted her gaze to the rearview mirror, looking at her father, Adhitama.

However, the man remained silent, his expression cold.

For the past two days, her father’s attitude had felt different.

Lily didn't know if it was just her imagination, or perhaps… did her father know something?

That couldn't be, right?

There was no way her father knew what she had done.

Lily swallowed hard and cast her gaze out the window, choosing to enjoy the ride without saying another word.

Upon arriving at Bryan's family residence, the figure of her fiancé was already waiting for Lily near the entrance with a fake smile plastered across his face.

As if he had never done anything wrong. As if he weren't the bastard who had betrayed her.

Lily felt nauseous.

Without looking at him, she stepped inside alongside her father and mother.

However, Bryan’s hand gripped her arm, stopping her in her tracks.

“What else do you want?” Lily hissed, roughly brushing off Bryan's grip.

Bryan's face tightened, his sweet smile instantly vanishing.

"Why haven't you answered my calls or replied to my messages?"

Lily let out a cold scoff. "Do I really need to explain?"

Bryan appeared uneasy. He glanced around, making sure no one was watching.

“Lily, you better not mention what happened the other day to my parents or yours.”

His tone was laced with a threat.

Lily narrowed her eyes, glaring at Bryan with a hatred she had never felt before.

How dare this man ask such a thing of her?! Did he have no shame at all?!

Just as Lily was about to fire back at Bryan, Arya—Bryan's father—suddenly approached. “Why are you two still standing out here?” he asked.

At that moment, Lily forced a smile and said, “We were just talking for a moment, Uncle.”

“That's enough, come talk inside. I want to introduce you to Bryan's uncle!” Arya said, leaving Lily with a smile as she had no choice but to follow her fiancé's father into the residence.

Once inside the banquet hall, Lily saw several invited guests already gathered.

Her eyes caught the figure of a tall, well-built man standing among them, conversing with Bryan's parents.

She didn't recognize him.

"Come here, let me introduce you to Uncle Arsen," Arya said to Bryan and Lily.

Lily walked over with Bryan, approaching the tall, well-built man who naturally commanded so much attention.

And when the man turned around…

Lily’s heart stopped beating.

Her face instantly drained of color.

Their eyes met.

Him?!

Lily wanted to turn back and run as far away as possible.

But it was too late.

The man was also caught off guard upon seeing her, though his expression flickered for only a split second before returning to a cold composure.

Arsen observed Lily sharply, but in the next second, he put on a relaxed face, as if they had never met before.

"Arsen, meet Lily, our future daughter-in-law," Monica, Bryan's mother, said with a proud smile.

Lily couldn't breathe.

The man who had taken her purity, who had insulted her by mistaking her for an escort, was actually Bryan's uncle?!

Lily's hands trembled violently. Even so, she tried to compose herself as she extended her hand to shake Arsen's.

However, the moment that large hand touched hers, Lily felt the hair on her neck stand on end. Her body remembered everything those hands had done to her.

“I really still can't believe you have a brother who lived in America for so long.”

Her father's voice brought Lily back to her senses, prompting her to pull her hand back immediately and step away from Arsen.

"Actually, he's the son of my father's second wife," Arya answered with a light chuckle, patting Arsen's shoulder. “He’s only visiting here briefly before heading back abroad.”

Arsen, who had remained quiet while intently watching Lily, merely raised the corner of his lips slightly and downed the drink in his glass without any expression.

“What a coincidence! How about before Arsen goes back abroad, we arrange the marriage for Bryan and Lily?” Bryan's mother said with a sweet smile.

“That’s a great idea!” Arya chimed in, equally enthusiastic.

Hearing that, Lily’s heart sank. After learning about Bryan’s affair with Sonia, and how he only wanted to take advantage of her, was Lily supposed to just stay silent?

No! She couldn't let this go on!

“I’m sorry, Auntie, Uncle, but I cannot marry Bryan. I want to call off our engagement.”